Savory and Delicious Zucchini Pancakes
Perfect Zucchini Pancake Recipe
Enjoy these delightful zucchini pancakes, made with the freshest autumn zucchini! They make a wonderful side dish for a warm meal or a perfect accompaniment to a traditional Korean rice wine (makgeolli). These pancakes boast a crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful interior. This detailed recipe is designed for beginners, ensuring a delicious outcome with ease.
Main Ingredients- 1 medium zucchini
- 0.3 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour or pancake mix (based on a standard paper cup)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the zucchini thoroughly, trim the ends, and julienne it into thin strips, about 0.3-0.5 cm thick. Slicing them too thinly can make them fragile, so aim for a moderate thickness. Place the julienned zucchini in a bowl, sprinkle with 0.3 tsp of salt, and gently mix. Let it sit for about 5 minutes; you’ll notice moisture naturally seeping out from the zucchini.
Step 2
It’s crucial not to add extra water at this stage, as the moisture released from the zucchini will be used for the batter. Add about 1 cup of all-purpose flour (or pancake mix) to the bowl with the julienned zucchini. Using chopsticks or your hands, gently mix the ingredients until a batter forms, ensuring the zucchini pieces are coated. The batter should be just enough to bind the zucchini together. If it’s too thick, the pancakes might be dense; if too thin, they’ll be difficult to pan-fry. Adjust the amount of flour accordingly to achieve the right consistency.
Step 3
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of vegetable oil. Using plenty of oil is key to achieving crispy pancakes. Scoop portions of the batter and carefully spread them thinly onto the hot pan, forming individual pancakes of a suitable size. Making them too thick can prevent them from cooking through evenly and may result in a soggy texture.
Step 4
Cook over medium-low heat. Once one side is golden brown and cooked through, carefully flip the pancake and cook the other side until it’s also golden brown. This process usually takes about 5-7 minutes in total, ensuring the pancakes are cooked thoroughly inside and crispy on the outside. For a less oily finish, you can place the cooked pancakes on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
